Golf is a funny old game. Last week there was a mixture of outrage and sympathy for Steve Williams on the back of comments which, in his own words ‘could be construed as racist’. This week sees John Daly hitting the headlines after he walked off the course at the Australian Open. He was having a shocker and didn’t want to be there. Australian PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn said "The PGA does not need this kind of behavior tarnishing the achievements of other players and the reputation of our tournaments. John is not welcome at Coolum."

I’m not sure if I agree. More...

I used to like watching Tiger Woods win golf tournaments. I wanted him to recover from the events of recent years. I wanted to see him win again. My enthusiasm is starting to wane. I’m getting bored of it all.

Every morning I begin my day with a click through my emails, then I visit the BBC News website followed by BBC Sport with the ultimate destination of the Golf section. It’s a routine. When it comes to the sport and golf sections, I know what I’m going to read about, it’s the same headlines I checked before I went to bed. This morning I was surprised. Then I wasn’t. Finally, I was annoyed enough to write this blog.

Yesterday, I watched Europe win the Solheim Cup in dramatic fashion. Last night I watched Bill Haas win $11.4m in a dramatic playoff that saw him flop the ball to 2 feet from the water. Look at the BBC Golf homepage below.

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Darren Clarke, Open Champion. You wouldn’t have believed it a week ago. Here in the office we like to back a couple of long shots for the majors, this year I had big John Daly at 800/1, a couple of my colleagues had Jimenez and Watson, probably better bets in hindsight. No-one mentioned Darren Clarke at 200/1, but why? If you look at the facts it was obvious. He’s won on tour this year for the first time since 2008 (with a new caddy I might add), he’s taken time out recently which he’s spent playing links golf, oh and he’s Northern Irish. 50% of the last 6 majors have been won by Northern Irishmen. Shame I didn’t think of that last Thursday morning. All joking aside, Clarke knew he could win, he just needed to have the right attitude and it all came together at the right time.  

Just in case you’re skim reading this blog, I’ll repeat, 50% of the last 6 major winners have been Northern Irish. Its staggering. 50%. They must be putting something in the water. How has this happened? Luckily, I’ve been there and can tell you why. More...

I promised a friend I’d write a blog for people looking to take up golf. That was a couple of weeks ago now and I’ll be honest, I’ve been thinking about all the things I’d need to cover and how difficult it would be to include everything.  So I sat down today and began with a story of my first foray onto the course. Suddenly it all became clear and simple; I had walked onto the first tee with a second hand half set of clubs, wearing trainers with an average golfer as a teacher (sorry Dad). So let’s dispel a couple of myths.

You’re going to need to get all the latest equipment.

As I said, I started with a half set of second hand clubs that were older than me and I’ve had my current set for about 10 years. In fact if you do go out and buy all the latest gear when you’re a beginner, I’m going to call you a plonker. Next! More...

I like to keep on top of the latest news in the golfing world. My first port of call in the morning when I sit bleary eyed at my desk has always been the BBC Golf website, and as any other regular visitor to this corner of the BBC website will know, it isn’t always packed with new content. This isn’t a complaint about the quality of journalism at the Beeb, more a reflection on the fact that unless someone has won a tournament or Tiger has left the house without shaving there isn’t a great deal to comment on.

Times, however, are a changing – in a week that has been defined by the passing of one of the greatest entertainers the sporting world has ever seen, somehow other news stories have emerged and conspiracy theories are rife. Westwood and McIlroy are disrespecting the PGA Tour, Tiger is faking injury and we’re also in the middle of golf’s 5th Major (or 8th depending on who you listen to).

I’d like to see all the best golfers on top of their form competing against each other every week as much as the next golf enthusiast, but I’m pretty sure I’ll cope if Westwood et al aren’t there. Besides, even if they were playing and you watched the coverage provided by the golf channel, you would probably be none the wiser. Do the US pundits want to cover Europeans doing well on the PGA Tour? No. Then why throw your toys out the pram when Europe’s elite don’t come and play? Then again who cares if they do? The world number one certainly doesn’t.  WestwoodLee - @McIlroyRory did you see the field for the Volvo WORLD matchplay Rors? Notice anything? (Referring to the lack of US presence). And neither does Rory. McIlroyRory - Last time I checked, pro golfers are self employed and can decide when and when not they play. Correct me if I'm wrong.... #justsaying

If you watch the news at all, you’ll know that most of what goes on in our world these days, from national protests to super-injunctions, is because of Twitter. I personally don’t buy into the fuss that sees journalists quoting broken English tweets left right and centre as catalysts of world change. However I do admit I enjoy the speed with which news can be broken in the 140 characters punched into your favourite tweeters twitter app. Graeme_McDowell - Just saw Tiger come limping by me in the locker room. Considering he's supposed to be on the course I'm guessing that's not a good sign.....
Let’s keep politics out of golf and go back to enjoying the game. Here’s to sarcasm on twitter, the European golfing revolution and to Seve, the man who started it all and epitomized everything good about golf with a smile on his face.

On my shoulder sits a demon, for the purpose of this tale I will call her Grace.

Grace knows all my faults and weaknesses. She is a constant reminder of these flaws. She is the girl I loathe and crave in the same breath. Her beauty leads me to temptation. She torments me always. More...